Apparatus for checking a sheet having a bent profile

Abstract

Apparatus for checking the profile of a sheet and comparing measured data with that data from measurement of a standard. The apparatus includes a frame, a plurality of studs on the frame providing three support locations for the sheet, a plurality of reference stops spaced along two adjacent sides of the frame and structure along opposite sides for moving a sheet into a centered position at the stops and measuring structure for measuring the profile of the sheet at a centered position. The sheet may be held at the centered position to immobilize it during measurement and the apparatus may be located along a production line including structure for moving a sheet to the frame and removing the sheet from the frame.

I claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus for measuring the curved profile of a sheet comprising (a) a frame of generally rectangular outline,   (b) at least three studs supported by the frame to extend from an upper surface to provide point support for said sheet which is adapted to be located to said frame, each said stud mounted by said frame in a fixed positional relationship,   (c) means for locating adjacent edges of said sheet supported on said studs to a reference position,   (d) means for holding said sheet in said reference position, and   (e) means for measuring a surface contour at a number of surface locations within said sheet and comparing the data with data from the measurement of a reference standard.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each said stud is disposed within the region of a corner of said frame. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said locating means comprises (a) a plurality of stops fixed to said frame, at least one stop being fixed along each side, and each stop additionally providing means for guiding said sheet to a position for support by said studs, and   (b) a pair of drive elements disposed along adjacent sides of said frame adapted to move said sheet laterally relative to said studs into engagement with said stops along opposite sides of said frame.   
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each stop includes a flat surface comprising a reference stop at said reference position and a surface inclined toward said frame, said inclined surface comprising said guiding means for said sheet. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein one of said drive elements move said sheet laterally toward a pair of reference stops spaced along a side of said frame opposite said drive element and the other of said drive elements moves said sheet laterally toward a single reference stop along the side of said frame opposite said last-mentioned drive element. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for holding said sheet in said reference position includes (a) a gripping member comprised of an elastic head, and   (b) means for moving said elastic head between positions of engagement with said sheet to act along the axis of one of said studs and a retracted position whereby said sheet may be removed from said frame.   
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 1 further including responsive means for signalling the presence of said sheet on said frame. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 7 further including a device for programming and processing said data, said device operating in response to a signal from said responsive means for purposes of activating and synchronizing the action of each of said locating means, said holding means, and said measuring means. 
     
     
       9. The combination of a production line for producing sheets having a curved profile, apparatus for measuring said curved profile comprising a frame of generally rectangular outline, at least three studs supported by the frame to extend from an upper surface to provide a point support for said sheet which is adapted to be located to said frame, each said stud mounted by said frame in a fixed positional relationship, means for locating adjacent edges of said sheet supported on said studs to a reference position, means for holding said sheet without vibrations in said reference position, and means for measuring a surface contour at a number of surface locations within said sheet and comparing the data with data from the measurement of a reference standard, and means for moving said sheet from an upstream location to a downstream location in said production line after said surface contour is measured under circumstances, only, if said measurement data is compared favorably with the measurement data of said reference standard. 
     
     
       10. The combination of claim 9 including a device for programming and processing said data, and wherein said programming and processing device connects the apparatus for measuring the surface contour to upstream station locations including a bending station, and said connection providing a connection for correction signals generated to regulate each said station as measurement datas of the surface contour of the sheets may differ from the measurement datas of a reference standard.